I see a lot of posts on the airbag service message, I took the car (2009, never wrecked) to my dealer and their computer could not communicate with the airbag computer. Of course they want to replace it but will not asure me that will fix the problem, they say they cant track the problem until the computers talk to each other...Id like to know if anyone has had the same problem and fixed it without replacing the computer. Bad connections somewhere, if so where can I look and can I fix them myself....thanks for any help.

 

By failing to communicate, did they specify that they couldn't communicate with the SRS module itself, or did they get an error in attempting to communicate with the vehicle entirely?

It makes a difference, if the module won't communicate its either failed or there may be an issue in the harness or connections. If the vehicle won't communicate, it could be a blown fuse that powers the OBD II port.

 

thanks for the reply...... it connected to the main computer fine..there was a code P0572 in the history, something about low voltage to the cruise/brakes....they cleared that with no problem, both cruise and brakes work fine..

 

Actually code P0752 indicates a problem with the First to Second gear shift solenoid in the transmission, usually caused by the following.

- Low transmission fluid level
- Dirty transmission fluid
- Faulty 1-2 Shift Solenoid valve
- 1-2 Shift Solenoid valve harness or connectors
- 1-2 Shift Solenoid valve circuit is open or shorted

Not related at all to the brakes or cruise control, kind of raises a red flag over the dealer's diagnostic capabilities.

 

well, I did watch them do it and saw the LCD display on the scanner and it said the same as on the print out....maybe different years have diff codes..

 

I had the same diagnosis when I was getting my NEW SRS module programmed..Turned out the tech was the problem. PM me if you need a new module.

 

what turned out to be the REAL problem????

 

The technician did not know how to connect to the SRS module. It took him 2 hours of actual work to finally call tech support for the 5 minute fix. They told me "the TechII is not even seeing the SRS module".

FWIW, a new module can be had for alot less than the $416 ($297.50) that they will want and installing it is easy, all that the dealer MUST do is the TechII work for $101. There are also ways to get the module re flashed for $40-$60 and no TECHII needed. In either of those cases you will need to drive with no SRS protection for a short time, but saving $200 or so is worth it to me.

 

what was the 5 min fix?

 

Whatever tech support told him to do. 5 minutes after he hung the phone up, I was out of there. Seems to me that would be an everyday thing, since they have to replace SDMs after an airbag deploys.

From what I got from the Service Advisor he had to inform the BCM that there was a SDM and insert the serial number into the BCM before it could be recognized. I know that sound murky, but that's the third hand explanation I got.

The problem seems to be that the technicians "forget" the TechII training they supposedly get. (I am being very generous here.) They seem to think that it is just plug it in and it will tell you what to do. This is not the first time I've had GM techs not know how to use the TechII.